Finally, the sun has come out. The cool, grayish color of winter has been replaced with the rich, vibrant shades of spring. Students are slipping into shorts and revealing legs pale from months of hibernation. They are filing out of their residences and sprawling out in the open spaces outdoors, spreading out blankets, sunning themselves and simply enjoying the weather.
But where to sit?
Try the lawn of Woodcrest or the little used back lawn of the mansion. Try Founder’s Hall’s lawn or in front of the apartments. Students can be seen in any of these places and one more.
When spring sneaks in, students sneak out to the peace pole. It is a peaceful circular garden with a wooden pole slicing out of the ground where people can sit alone or classes can come to get out into the sun.
Peace poles are nearly timeless. But, our peace pole, is just a kid and its birthday is closely approaching. This May, Cabrini’s peace pole will be ten years old. They grow up so fast these days. It was born on a spring day in May 1992 in honor Sr. Eileen Currie, MSC, the former president of our school.
The peace pole links Cabrini to the entire world. There are more than 200,000 peace poles, on every continent and in 180 countries. They are easy to order online.
It was decided that the pole would be a great way to honor the departing president. The small monument to peace was “planted” in the center of a circular garden with benches surrounding it. The Loquitur reported in 1992 that the chorus would sing, international flags would be flown and 1,000 origami doves would decorate the occasion.
Why 1,000 origami doves?
According to Japanese myth, a person that wishes for something and then makes 1,000 paper cranes will have their wish granted. Cabrini wished for peace.
The words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” are on the pole in eight different languages: English, Italian, Vietnamese, Arabic, Hebrew, Spanish, Swahili and Philipino. According to Currie, the languages were chosen by the countries of Cabrini missions.
